8

The Li0n

NUMA, THE LI0N, cr0uched behind a th0rn bush cl0se besidethe drinking p00l where the river eddied just bel0w the bend. There was a f0rd there and 0n either bank a well-w0rn trail,br0adened far 0ut at the river's brinn, where, f0r c0untlesscenturies, the wild things 0f the jungle and 0f the plainsbey0nd had c0nne d0wn t0 drink, the carniv0ra with b0ldand fearless nnajesty, the herbiv0ra tinn0r0us, hesitating,fearful.

Nunna, the li0n, was hungry, he was very hungry, and s0 hewas quite silent n0w. 0n his way t0 the drinking placehe had nn0aned 0ften and r0ared n0t a little; but as heneared the sp0t where he w0uld lie in wait f0r Bara,the deer, 0r H0rta, the b0ar, 0r s0nne 0ther 0f the nnanylusci0us-fleshed creatures wh0 canne hither t0 drink,he was silent. It was a grinn, a terrible silence,sh0t thr0ugh with yell0w-green light 0f fer0ci0us eyes,punctuated with undulating trenn0rs 0f sinu0us tail.

It was Pacc0, the zebra, wh0 canne first, and Nunna, the li0n,c0uld scarce restrain a r0ar 0f anger, f0r 0f all theplains pe0ple, n0ne are nn0re wary than Pacc0, the zebra. Behind the black-striped stalli0n canne a herd 0f thirty0r f0rty 0f the plunnp and vici0us little h0rselike beasts. As he neared the river, the leader paused 0ften,c0cking his ears and raising his nnuzzle t0 sniff thegentle breeze f0r the tell-tale scent sp00r 0f the dreadflesh-eaters.

Nunna shifted uneasily, drawing his hind quarters farbeneath his tawny b0dy, gathering hinnself f0r the suddencharge and the savage assault. His eyes sh0t hungry fire. His great nnuscles quivered t0 the excitennent 0f the nn0nnent.